The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) promulgates (a) regulations directed to other Federal agencies regarding adequate and proper documentation of the policies and transactions of the Federal Government and for ensuring proper records disposition, and (b) regulations directed to the public relating to access to and use of the historically valuable archives, donated historical materials, Nixon Presidential materials, and Presidential records in the National Archives, regional archives, Presidential libraries, and Presidential Materials Projects operated by NARA. NARA also promulgates regulations relating to the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) grant programs.
NARA's regulatory priorities for fiscal year 1997 will be the clarification and updating of records-management regulations concerning Federal agency recordkeeping requirements.
NARA records-management regulations must provide agencies with the guidance they need to fulfill their statutory obligation to make and preserve records containing adequate and proper documentation of the agency's business. This guidance must be reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changing information technology and recordkeeping practices in agencies. NARA has determined that existing regulations on personal papers and on the removal of nonrecord and personal materials do not provide sufficient protection against improper removal of Federal records from agency control. NARA plans to expand guidance on personal papers and add a requirement for agencies to protect against the removal of Federal records by issuing written procedures for the removal of nonrecord and personal materials. NARA also sees a need to revise regulations on records creation and maintenance to emphasize their applicability to electronic records.
NARA plans no significant rulemakings in the area of public use of archival records and materials in NARA research rooms in fiscal year 1997.